Untitled Sermon (3)

Welcome , happy Sabbath, pray you are blessed today

Title= Own your faith

This message was inspired by God while talking to my daughters about growing up PK’s & how hard that is because the parents spiritual maturity & acts of service become Expectations on the kids.

Ezekiel 18:1-30 shows us for certain that each person is responsible for their own actions & that righteousness or wickedness is not passed down to our children , EVERYONE gets to choose what they will do & their reward or punishment is their Own .....-

The Justice of a Righteous God

Then another message came to me from the LORD: 2 “Why do you quote this proverb concerning the land of Israel: ‘The parents have eaten sour grapes, but their children’s mouths pucker at the taste’? 3 As surely as I live, says the Sovereign LORD, you will not quote this proverb anymore in Israel. 4 For all people are mine to judge—both parents and children alike. And this is my rule: The person who sins is the one who will die.

5 “Suppose a certain man is righteous and does what is just and right. 6 He does not feast in the mountains before Israel’s idols or worship them. He does not commit adultery or have intercourse with a woman during her menstrual period. 7 He is a merciful creditor, not keeping the items given as security by poor debtors. He does not rob the poor but instead gives food to the hungry and provides clothes for the needy. 8 He grants loans without interest, stays away from injustice, is honest and fair when judging others, 9 and faithfully obeys my decrees and regulations. Anyone who does these things is just and will surely live, says the Sovereign LORD.

10 “But suppose that man has a son who grows up to be a robber or murderer and refuses to do what is right. 11 And that son does all the evil things his father would never do—he worships idols on the mountains, commits adultery, 12 oppresses the poor and helpless, steals from debtors by refusing to let them redeem their security, worships idols, commits detestable sins, 13 and lends money at excessive interest. Should such a sinful person live? No! He must die and must take full blame.

14 “But suppose that sinful son, in turn, has a son who sees his father’s wickedness and decides against that kind of life. 15 This son refuses to worship idols on the mountains and does not commit adultery. 16 He does not exploit the poor, but instead is fair to debtors and does not rob them. He gives food to the hungry and provides clothes for the needy. 17 He helps the poor, does not lend money at interest, and obeys all my regulations and decrees. Such a person will not die because of his father’s sins; he will surely live. 18 But the father will die for his many sins—for being cruel, robbing people, and doing what was clearly wrong among his people.

19 “ ‘What?’ you ask. ‘Doesn’t the child pay for the parent’s sins?’ No! For if the child does what is just and right and keeps my decrees, that child will surely live. 20 The person who sins is the one who will die. The child will not be punished for the parent’s sins, and the parent will not be punished for the child’s sins. Righteous people will be rewarded for their own righteous behavior, and wicked people will be punished for their own wickedness. 21 But if wicked people turn away from all their sins and begin to obey my decrees and do what is just and right, they will surely live and not die. 22 All their past sins will be forgotten, and they will live because of the righteous things they have done.

23 “Do you think that I like to see wicked people die? says the Sovereign LORD. Of course not! I want them to turn from their wicked ways and live. 24 However, if righteous people turn from their righteous behavior and start doing sinful things and act like other sinners, should they be allowed to live? No, of course not! All their righteous acts will be forgotten, and they will die for their sins.

25 “Yet you say, ‘The Lord isn’t doing what’s right!’ Listen to me, O people of Israel. Am I the one not doing what’s right, or is it you? 26 When righteous people turn from their righteous behavior and start doing sinful things, they will die for it. Yes, they will die because of their sinful deeds. 27 And if wicked people turn from their wickedness, obey the law, and do what is just and right, they will save their lives. 28 They will live because they thought it over and decided to turn from their sins. Such people will not die. 29 And yet the people of Israel keep saying, ‘The Lord isn’t doing what’s right!’ O people of Israel, it is you who are not doing what’s right, not I.

30 “Therefore, I will judge each of you, O people of Israel, according to your actions, says the Sovereign LORD. Repent, and turn from your sins. Don’t let them destroy you! 31 Put all your rebellion behind you, and find yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O people of Israel? 32 I don’t want you to die, says the Sovereign LORD. Turn back and live! (Eze 18:1–32)

The Levites were to serve in the temple services; & only the Levites. So if you were born to a Levite you would be expected to serve in the Temple services. But that didn’t mean you were devoted to God!

Aaron , Moses’ brother who was present for all the miracles God did to bring his people out of Egypt had 4 sons who served in the temple services and were taught what & how to serve but 1 day his oldest 2 sons Nadab & Abihu decided to do it how they saw fit & were burnt up on the spot. As they were ministering in the Holy place , with GOD on the other side of the vail didn't use a coal off the alter of incense in their censure which is the ONLY authorized fire , they brought something NOT Holy into GOD’S Holy presence when they knew better. They were taught but didn’t follow. They chose their own way. They were going through the motions of what they were taught but they didn’t own their faith !!! They were just doing what they were taught & it had no significance to them , the why of what they were doing was absent.... They didn't Own their faith !!!

1 sam 4 , Eli the priest had 2 sons who served in the temple services named Hophni & Phineus , who were trained by a good priest . These son’s of a Good priest didn't own their faith & it showed in their actions, they were corrupt & sexually immoral & died on the battlefield doing service in church but NOT trusting in GOD, NOT OWNING THEIR FAITH!

Each & every person has to own their faith , they have to have their own experience with God to solidify their faith....and when they do They are changed!!!

Just growing up in the church or hearing the stories of the bible doesn't automatically put you in favor with God, you have to BELIEVE for yourself, I don't care what Generation of Christian you are , it don't matter , you cant own someone else’s faith, it HAS TO BE YOURS !!!

In most cases it takes time & experiences to develop your faith in JESUS.

Take the apostle Paul for example , he was a student of the learned Gamaliel, a Supper Pharisee, trained to follow God according to the strictest understanding of the law, he had Zeal for God but it was misguided , but his faith in JESUS CHRIST wasn’t real until he had an experience on the road to damascus. This man was taught but it wasn’t until he was blinded that he could see what really mattered !! Acts 9:3-6 tells of his experience....

One of Jesus’ own disciples Thomas was with Jesus about 3 yrs & seen all kinds of miracles happen in front of him but couldn't believe JESUS rose from the dead because he couldn't see him.Thomas saw jesus raise others from the dead but couldn’t believe JESUS was RISEN & ALIVE, So JESUS shows up & tells him to BELIEVE !!!!! THOMAS NEEDED MORE THAN HIS BROTHERS WORD & JESUS GAVE IT TO HIM !!! John20:24-30 -24 One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), was not with the others when Jesus came. 25 They told him, “We have seen the Lord!”

But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.”

26 Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!”

28 “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed.

29 Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”

Purpose of the Book

30 The disciples saw Jesus do many other miraculous signs in addition to the ones recorded in this book. 31 But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name.(john 20:24-30)

Mark 9:14-27 tells of a father with a demon possessed son whom he took to the disciples to be healed but they couldn't do it then he asked JESUS to help if he could & JESUS told him ALL things are possible to those who believe & asked if he believed & he said I DO BELIEVE BUT HELP MY UNBELIEF & JESUS CASTS OUT THE DEMON HELPING THE BOY & THE FATHER TO BELIEVE !!!!

Some people can have strong faith by other peoples testimony , take John the Baptist for example , He grew up a PK , TRAINED TO FULFILL A MINISTRY by his parents, lead an unpopular ministry, Baptized JESUS & called him the LAMB OF THE GOD WHO TAKES AWAY THE SINS OF THE WORLD then later as he sat in jail sent messengers to see if he was the messiah they were expecting or if they should expect another & JESUS sends him just a Report : tell him what you have seen :The Blind see, lame walk , leprosy is cured , deaf are made to hear , The dead are Raised & the Good news is preached to the poor. All John needed was a word to believe in JESUS !

Matt 8:5-13 tells of a Roman officer with a young servant who he cared for greatly coming to JESUS for help & JESUS said i will Come & heal him but the officer acknowledges his unworthiness for Jesus to come under his roof & asked for just his WORD & “I KNOW THAT IF YOU SAY IT , IT WILL BE SO” WHICH AMAZED JESUS

We are supposed to be witnesses & teach our kids & others of the great GOD we serve & how he LOVES US.

Today i can tell you about a GOD who has shown himself STRONG on my behalf , about a God who saved a young boy when drank bleach , a God who saved a young boy when he ate poke root, who has been hit by a car twice , been missed by bullets aimed at him, survived guns being put in my face , who saved me from a fiery car crash . i can tell you about a GOD who can stop the rain when i needed to drive 11 hrs, a GOD who sent me a big truck to follow when it was raining so hard i couldn’t see ( covenant transport) , i have seen GOD RESURRECT A MAN BECAUSE OF PRAYER(LEONARD) i have seen GOD protect my kids play equipment in the yard when storms tore off really big limbs & they laid all around it but not on it , i have seen GOD deliver a woman with a suicidal spirit, seen GOD send a stranger to change our tire @ 2:00 am , protect us while driving blinded in a storm when a power pole was knocked down, seen God provide food & clothing more times than i can count, he helped my son find his gun that was lost, i saw GOD save my grandmother & seen him restore my family & if that's not enough for you he will give you what you need to believe in HIM !!!

JESUS wants you to own your faith & he is willing to help you trust in him. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS ASK, LIKE THE ROMAN OFFICER , LIKE JOHN THE BAPTIST , LIKE THOMAS!!!

REMEMBER THOMAS NEEDED MORE TO BELIEVE & JESUS GAVE HIM MORE & IF YOU NEED MORE JESUS WILL GIVE IT TO YOU , ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS ASK....

matt 7:7-8 nlt 7 “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

SO As we close , I appeal to you on behalf of the LORD JESUS CHRIST, if your heart is longing for a deeper experience with GOD will you please meet me here at the front as we pray & ask god for a faith we can own, an experience to increase our faith , to help us own our faith....